Senior Manager Production

Caterpillar Inc.; Pontiac (IL); On-site; USD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plans

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in Pontiac, IL is seeking a Senior Manager Production to lead machinists and assembly teams, driving safety, engagement, and continuous improvement across 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts in a 24/7 continuous manufacturing operation.

You will own value stream budgets, workforce planning, and resource allocation, and execute SPQVC priorities to deliver strong business results while fostering a culture of safety and accountability within a global leader in fuel systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required.
• Experience leading operations staff and managers in a manufacturing setting.
• Knowledge of budgets, workforce planning and resource allocation helpful.
• Strong emphasis on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead staffing, development, and performance management programs for operations staff and managers.
• Oversee safety, schedules, and performance targets; optimize resource use.
• Drive improvements in overall operations performance and implement safety, cost, and quality controls.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and maintain a safe manufacturing environment.

Skills

Staffing management

Operations leadership

Safety culture

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Job Description

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Career Area

Manufacturing

Role Definition

As a Senior Manager Production, you will provide leadership and direction to teams of machinists and/or assembly technicians while fostering a culture of safety, engagement, and continuous improvement. Pontiac Fuel Systems is a global leader in the production of fuel injectors and assemblies for off-highway diesel and dual-fuel applications. This position plays a key role in delivering business results through ownership of value stream budgets, workforce planning, resource allocation, and execution of strategic SPQVC priorities. The successful candidate will demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability needed to effectively lead teams across 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts in support of a continuous manufacturing operation.

What You Will Do

• Managing staffing, development, and performance management programs for operations staff; managing, motivating, and developing management team.
• Overseeing operations activities, ensuring that safety, and schedules and performance requirements are met and system resources are used effectively.
• Driving improvements for overall operations performance and implementing production safety, cost, and quality control mechanisms.
• Ensures the compliance of all regulatory guidelines and forges a safe and sound manufacturing environment.

Degree Requirement

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

What Skills You Have

Production Training

Knowledge of approaches, tools and techniques for delivering formal and informal training on the safe and efficient operation of production machinery; ability to conduct effective formal and situation-specific training.

• Conducts needs analysis to determine skill gaps or areas where training is needed.
• Develops training programs on the use of new or improved production machines.
• Directs staff on the set-up and operation of production machinery for custom or nonstandard jobs.
• Evaluates the pros and cons of various training media and the value of each to the organization.
• Facilitates the training of employees on new equipment provided by equipment manufacturers.
• Measures the value of the training program by gathering pre- and post-training performance metrics.

Problem Solving

Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations.

• Ensures capture of lessons to be learned from a problem-solving effort.
• Organizes potential problem solvers and leads problem resolution efforts.
• Uses varying problem-solving approaches and techniques as appropriate.
• Contributes to standard practices for problem-solving approaches, tools, and processes.
• Analyzes and synthesizes information and devises alternative resolution strategies.
• Develops successful resolutions to critical or wide-impact problems.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Knowledge of successful approaches and techniques for dealing with change; ability to adapt to a changing environment and be comfortable with change.

• Creates processes with provisions to accommodate change.
• Helps others adapt to changing environments and accept new situations.
• Recovers from disappointments and setbacks.
• Works effectively with unstructured teams, situations, or environments.
• Leverages prior experience as a help towards handling changing situations.
• Makes progress in an atmosphere of ambiguity and uncertainty.

Performance Management

Knowledge of successful performance management techniques; ability to apply organization's performance management system, practices, and tools to developing and improving individual, team, and organizational performance.

• Gives continuing feedback, recognizes achievement, and recommends improvement.
• Participates in the salary planning and administration process.
• Defines and agrees upon performance goals and objectives with associates.
• Identifies performance problem areas early on and defines specific improvement activities.
• Adjusts and communicates performance objectives as necessary for team objectives.
• Publicly shares accolades and recognizes and rewards top performers.

Planning and Organizing

Knowledge of the process of planning and arranging tasks and resources; ability to plan and organize both time and resources to get things completed while structuring and maintaining work in a systematic and highly methodical way.

• Updates stakeholders on potential changes; re-negotiates requirements as necessary.
• Identifies the critical goals and tasks required to meet daily objectives.
• Develops contingency plans or to improve processes and to avoid problems before they occur.
• Evaluates linkages and interrelationships when prioritizing multiple responsibilities.
• Manages conflicting priorities effectively.
• Tracks the implementation of plans closely to ensure that desired outcomes are achieved.

Effective Communications

Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

• Reviews others' writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.
• Adapt documents and presentations for the intended audience.
• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.
• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.
• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.

Additional Information

• This position requires the selected candidate to work on-site five days a week in the Pontiac, IL facility.
• Domestic relocation assistance is available.
• VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Summary Pay Range

$147,760.00 - $221,640.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
• 401(k) savings plans*
• Health Savings Account (HSA)*
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
• Health Lifestyle Programs*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• These benefits also apply to part-time employees

Posting Dates

August 20, 2026 - August 27, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.